2. Rosalie #2
Anson snorted. “Yeah? I’m surprised they didn’t give you one sooner. You strike me as a cat person.”
“Do I?” I cocked my head at him, a smile touching my lips. “I’ve always wanted one. My dad never let me. Or a dog. Or even a fish or hamster.” I sighed and shook my head. “I’d really like a cat.”
“I’m sure you’ll get one. Maybe we can go to the shelter and look at them.”
“And if I adopted one and just brought it home, I know they wouldn’t make me get rid of it.
” An idea formed in my mind. Honestly, I was lonely.
Sure, I had Ani and the guys, but many nights I spent alone in my bed because the guys were out doing whatever they did. A cat might be nice to curl up next to.
“I don’t think that’s the right answer.” Anson offered me a gentle smile. “They need a say too.”
“They get a say in everything,” I grumbled, sadness filling me again. Knowing Fox would be home tonight offered me some comfort. I missed them all and the way things used to be. Something new seemed to pop up every day and throw things into a whirlwind.
“Eat your sundae, LeeLee. We can work on getting a cat after all this stuff dies down. I’m sure they’ll entertain the idea.”
I grumbled again but continued to eat my sundae. Anson changed the subject to music, making me smile. His voice changed, and his eyes lit up, telling me exactly how much he loved creating magic.
“I know a guy.” He finished off his sundae and completely focused on me. “His name is Alex Ryan.”
“Two first names?” I raised my brows at him, making him smirk.
“Yeah, technically three because his middle name is Jacob. That’s beside the point. He’s a big deal with Trackmaster.”
I put my spoon down and stared at him. “Trackmaster? As in Trackmaster Records?”
He nodded.
“H-how do you know him?”
He shrugged. “I get around. I meet people. Music has always been my life, so I situate myself in scenarios where I get to introduce myself.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Stalker?”
He snorted and shook his head. “No, I’m not a stalker. I know music is a big part of my life. A part of my future. I think it’s important to know these people.”
“OK.” I bit my bottom lip, my nerves flaring at the real fear that he may leave me. Anson was insanely talented. He deserved to have a career that took off. “Did, um, he offer you a trip to L.A.? To meet with Trackmaster?”
“No.”
“No?” I frowned. “Does he know you’re a musician? An incredibly talented one? Because you need to show him, Ani?—”
“It’s not for me, LeeLee,” he said gently, reaching across the table and resting his hand over mine. “It’s for you.”
“Me?” I squeaked.
He nodded. “Yeah. I told him about you. He wants to hear you sing live.”
I blinked rapidly at his news before finally settling on what to say.
“But why? I mean, why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why now?”
“I don’t know. I guess everything has been stressful lately with all that’s gone down with the kings and life in general. Now seemed like a better time, I suppose.”
I swallowed thickly. “Anson, I can’t. I’m nowhere near ready for that. A-and the guys are away?—”
“Relax, LeeLee.” He squeezed my hand. “He’s always scouting. He’s interested. We’ll put something together for you, and he can check it out. There’s a show in a few weeks, and the showcase this fall. We can invite him to them. It gives you plenty of time to prepare?—”
“What about you?” I broke in, frowning.
“Me?” He seemed surprised by my question.
“What about your career?” I pressed. “Shouldn’t you be submitting and trying to get a deal?”
“Rosalie, you are my concern. If you succeed, I succeed. I want this for you and know you want it too. If you make it, I’ll die a happy man. When will you understand that I don’t care about myself?”
I hated his answer. He wasn’t going to join me and the guys.
Cole would completely lose his mind. Enzo wouldn’t allow it.
Fox and Ethan… I couldn’t shake the feeling that Anson was wasting his life pining away for what he could never have.
As a good friend, I wasn’t doing my part to prevent it either.
Damnit.
Swallowing thickly, I exhaled and pulled my hand away from his.
“Ani, I love that you care about me, but please. Don’t. Worry about yourself over me. I’ll be fine. I want you to have everything you’ve dreamed of?—”
“Rosalie, you need to understand something. You are my life. My priority. Everything else pales in comparison. That is never going to change. Once you learn that, you can make the right choices.” He stared me down, his words sending a shiver through me.
“Stop fighting me on this. I can take care of myself. Let me help you have your dream.”
Knowing he wouldn’t let it go, I sighed reluctantly and nodded, earning a smile from him.
“Be a good girl and finish your sundae,” he said, settling back in his seat, his gaze dragging from my half-eaten sundae to my face. He gave me a wink that made me focus hard on my sundae.
I heard his soft chuckle before the buzz of his phone. Within seconds, he was deep in a text conversation with someone, leaving me to think.
But I didn’t.
I seemed to suck at that lately.
So, instead, I ate my sundae like a good girl and thought about my guys again and my desperate need to see them soon.